Cultural Cumbre! From Mesa

As hall residents continue to get to know one another on a deeper level, more is exchanged than just names, majors, and interesting facts. While here at Irvine, students have the opportunity to engage with people from all walks of life. Differences in preference, culture, ideas, and background form a stimulating living environment in which residents not only learn more about others but, in turn, receive a better mirror to reflect on their own differences as well.

 This week, I would like to highlight the cultural aspects of my own hall: Cumbre! Not long ago my fellow Cumbrean, Hai Tsu, went home for the weekend- but not before asking the entire hall what it was that he should bring back. Coming from a Vietnamese background, it was the authentic, home-cooked cuisine that we desired! With lots of love, Hai’s mom spent the whole weekend preparing pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup usually served with beef or chicken (Wikipedia), for the entire hall.

On Sunday night, fellow hall mates waited for his return ready to eat- some even skipping dinner in the commons! When Hai arrived, he came equipped with all the necessities plus extras. Like a father figure, he helped each person create their own bowl and then directed them to a table laden with bags full of Vietnamese sweets for dessert. Down to the chopsticks, everything was prepared. All that was needed was to heat everything up and cook the noodles.

I consider this a night to be cherished and remembered by all the residents of Cumbre. It was more than just a spontaneous late-night cooking session. It was a time of bonding over a nice, hot meal, a look into someone else’s culture, and a night to relieve the homesickness of many. Hopefully, many more experiences like this are to come!